Mark Shapiro
Mark Shapiro
both core happening players run signed similar team together
It's similar in that both times we signed core players who we wanted to keep together for a run of championship baseball. That's what's most important about what's happening here now. We want to keep this team together.
accomplish both club fit franklin good guys largely prospect prospects spring
They will both be guys that you'll see a lot of in Spring Training. That's one of the things we want to accomplish this spring. Guys who fit into our plan, we want to get a good look at. Our Triple-A club is largely going to be a prospect club. Two of those prospects are Franklin and Brad.
behalf both commitment distinct level unique
Obviously, this is a unique and significant commitment on behalf of ownership. Grady is one of our more unique guys. The level of commitment is distinct on both sides.
beating both chicago deep division easy lots major minnesota nights tough
It's a very tough division. There aren't going to be many easy nights at all when you play in the division this year. There's going to be lots of beating up on each other. Chicago and Minnesota both have exceptional pitching. Detroit's lineup is as deep as any in the major leagues, if they are all healthy.
both energy game impact sides
He's an energy player, and he can impact the game on both sides of the ball.
add both build excited pitcher represents starting team trying
We are excited to add an experienced starting pitcher to our rotation, one that represents the team we are trying to build both on and off the field.
both cliff core felt good hope reach value
We had a lot of quality, substantive conversations that I hope demonstrated to Cliff that he is a core part of this team. But a value we both felt good about was not one we could reach right now.
both came heads white won
I called heads in both of them, and that's how it came up. Actually, we won with heads on all three, because the White Sox called tails, and it came up heads.
above among certainly offered signed
I know we were certainly among the finalists. But, dollar-wise, we offered above what he signed for.
situation
It's not a situation where we have to see everything right away. We just want to get him acclimated to this environment.
bottom consistent four
The bottom four in the lineup have to be more consistent and a little more productive.
attributes basis best daily enjoys game genuinely himself level option passion performance picks player plays
The best option is when a player picks it up himself by his level of performance. He genuinely has a passion for the game and plays on a daily basis like he enjoys it. That is representative of the attributes we want in our players.
hardest
That, ... is the hardest thing in the world for a GM.
atmosphere country excited game meaningful pitching pressure
I'm excited to see him do well in a meaningful game with the pressure of pitching for his country. We could not simulate that kind of atmosphere here.